Geraldine Ruth Hardin, age 86, a longtime resident of Portage passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2011. She was born on January 17, 1925 in Estherville, Iowa the daughter of William and Hattie Spears. Geraldine was married to Clyde David Hardin on October 18, 1942 in Gary. Geraldine's greatest joy was taking care of her family. She also enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, and politics. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and a friend to all.

Geraldine is survived by her loving family; daughters Karen Hardin, White Oak, North Carolina, Pamela (Jeff) Lyman, Chesapeake, Ohio, and Mara (Larry) Clarich, Valparaiso, sons Larry (Susan) Hardin, Lake Grove, New York, Terry (Linda) Hardin, Portage, and Gregg (Sydney) Hardin, Las Vegas, Nevada, 13 grandchildren; Jay, Scott, and Mark Hamilton, Kevin Hardin, Lee and Adam Wisdom, Christopher Mavronicles, Aaron and Nick Lyman, Amber and Ashley Hardin, and Stacy and Randi Clarich, 18 great grandchildren, sister Dorothy Walsh, DeMotte, and other loving family and dear friends. Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clyde Hardin, and her brother Donald Spears.

A visitation for Geraldine Hardin will be held from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at Rees Funeral Home – Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Avenue, Portage. A morning visitation will be held from 10:00 am until time of service at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at Rees Funeral Home with Deacon Jamie Lewis, officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Portage. Memorials in Geraldine's memory may be made to the V.N.A. Horton Hospice Center or the Portage Rittenhouse Senior Living Center. For further information please call Rees Funeral Home at (219) 762-3013 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.